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NYT: Mueller witness tried to influence White House on Gulf states

Interviews and previously undisclosed documents revealed that a witness in Robert Mueller's probe had worked for over a year to convert a Republican fundraiser into a White House influencer to help usher in deals on behalf of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the New York Times reports.

The backdrop: George Nader, a political adviser of the U.A.E. and Elliott Broidy, the RNC's deputy finance chair, reportedly urged the White House to dismiss Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's support of combative approaches to Iran and Qatar. In another case, Nader promised Broidy over a $1 billion in contracts for his private security company in exchange for deals.

Per the Times, Mueller's team have spoken to witnesses about Nader’s contacts with the White House, signaling that the probe is also examining the role of foreign money and inside the Trump administration. Nader was reportedly granted immunity in a deal for cooperating with Muller.

What they said: Nader's lawyer declined to comment, per the Times. Broidy told the paper in a statement that his efforts “aimed to strengthen the national security of the United States, in full coordination with the U.S. government.”